Daddy Longlegs Seem to Hunt Frogs in South America, Revealing the Gangly Arachnids as Overlooked Predators

Sarah Kuta· May 27, 2026 · 1:00 PM UTC ·6 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 45 views

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

A recent study has revealed that daddy longlegs, or harvestmen, actively hunt frogs in South America, challenging previous assumptions about their dietary habits. This behavior, observed in a few documented cases, suggests a more complex predator-prey relationship than previously recognized. The findings highlight the need for further research into the ecological roles of these often-overlooked arachnids.

Key facts

▪Harvestmen have been observed preying on live frogs, indicating they may actively hunt rather than just scavenge.
▪This behavior has been documented in only ten cases globally, all occurring in South America.
▪Harvestmen are distinct from spiders and are more closely related to mites and ticks, lacking venomous fangs and silk glands.

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Smithsonian Magazine files mainly under science. We currently carry 112 of its stories.

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Original publisher	Smithsonian Magazine
Canonical URL	https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/daddy-longlegs-seem-to-hunt-frogs-in-south-america-revealing-the-gangly-arachnids-as-long-overlooked-predators-180988810/
Publication time	Wed, 27 May 2026 13:00:23 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-05-27T13:18:00.799Z
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

Daddy Longlegs Seem to Hunt Frogs in South America, Revealing the Gangly Arachnids as Overlooked Predators A new study suggests that harvestmen actively attack the slippery amphibians, rather than just scavenging them. The findings hint that the spineless creatures have a more complex relationship with vertebrates than previously thought Sarah Kuta | Daily Correspondent May 27, 2026 9:00 a.m. ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source In February 2020, naturalist guides Lizardo Proaño and Juan Carlos Narváez photographed a harvestman eating a live frog during a night hike at Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador.

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